Draining and siruping machine



A. K. mms. 1 DRAINING AND SIRzUPl'NG MACHINE. i

FILED AUG30, 1922. 3 SHEETS-SHEET L Mar. 20, 1923.

. s sHEETs-SHEET 2.

A. K. RARIG.' DRAININGAND smuPl-NQ MACHINE. FILED AUG 3o. 1922 PatentedMar. 2Q,

Parent e.

DRAINING AND SIRUPING IVIACHINE.

Application filed August 30, 1922. Serial No. 585,326.

,To all y'zo/wm 'it 'may concern,

lie it known that I, Amixaxnm: K. Ramo. a citizen of the United States,residing at Oakland, in the county of Aalameda and 5 State ot'California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Draining andSirup ing Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a machine for use in the canning of' fruitsand like syruped commodities, and particularly to a machine for drainingfrom the packed cans any surplus water entered therein with the fruit orother commodity, and for supplying a proper amount of syrup to each canpreparatory to the final operation of closing or sealing the same.

One object of the invention istoprovidea combined draining and sirupingmachine which is simple ot' construction` reliable and eliicient inoperation, and adapted to simultaneously drain and syrup a plurality ofans at a time.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic machine ofthe character described which will have a very large output at afveryslow rate of speed of the working parts, with a consequent minimumamount of wear and tear thereon and the securing of greater generaletiiciency and durability.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine wherebycans in series or groups, ot' any suitable number to a series or group,may first be simultaneously drained and -then simultaneously syruped ina rapid and continuous operation, and whereby while one gionp or seriesof catas are being drained a preceding group or series will be syruped.

A still further objectof the invent-ion is to provide siruping meansembodying valves of simple construction which are adapted, withoutchange of size, shape or Jform, for siruping cans of two or moredifferent sizes, which are adjustable to regulate theamount ot syrup tobe supplied to the cans according to the size thereof or varying amountof syrup to be supplied to cans of any given size, and which are readilyand conveniently removable for cleansing and repairs.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine of thecharacter described having operating means of simple construction, whichis adjustable to regulate the feed of the cans to the siruping valvesaccording to the size of the cans to be filled, whereby the cans will beproperly centered with relation to the valves.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a machine wherebythe cans may be rapidly syruped without the waste ot' syrup ordinarilyoccurring through the slopping or spilling or' the syrup from the cans.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of thefeatures of construction, combination and arrangement of parts,hereinafter fully described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, in which 1- Figure l is a top plan view, partlyin section, ot a can draining and siruping ma- *t5 chine constructed inaccordance with my invention1 Figure 2 is a View in side elevation ofthe same.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure et is a vertical transverse section on line 4-4i .of Figure 2. f

Figure 5 is a view of the cam for raising and lowering the cansupporting bed or platform of the siruping device.

Figure 6 is a central horizontal section through the cage of the draindevice.

Figure 7 is a vertical section through one oi' the siruping valves,showing a can in position to be elevated, the valve appearing in closedposition.

Figure 8 is a bottom plan view ot the valve and its clamps.

Figure 9 is a ysectional elevation of the valve and a can in fillingposition and with the valve open for the filling action.

' Figure l() is a view of the train of mutilated gears in one of theirworking positions.

in the practical embodiment of my invention, as herein disclosed, Iprovide a supporting frame l of suitable construction having at one enda feed track or platform 2 and at its other end a delivery track orplatform 3. These tracks areLsuitably constructed for the support andguidance of the cans 4 under treatment, and said tracks are alsosuitably constructed for the passage therethrough of can engagingfingers 5 upon an endless feed belt or chain G, whereby the cans aresuccessively engaged by the fingers and moved forwardly to drainage,siruping and discharge or delivery positions. rThe track 2 may besuitably arranged to permit the cans to be automatically or manuallyconveyed thereto from the point where the cans are filled to the desireddegree with the fruit from' `the cooking apparatus or vessels. Inpractice, more or less surplus waterl 'is dipped with the fruit kintothe cans l as they are filled, and one object of my invention is toprovide automatic means for draining off this surplus water preparatoryto the next stage of treatment, that of supplying the cans "with aproper amount of syrup before they are closed or sealed.

The cans placed upon the track 2 are successively engaged and fedforward by a certain number of fingers 5 until a series or group of thedesired number of cans is in position to be moved forward into areceiving compartment of a drain cage of a drain device by another orsucceeding finger 5 of the chain 6. The drain device referred tocomprises av rotary ca-ge 7 centrally mounted upon a longitudinal shaft8- and having a pair of opposed can receiving compartments 99acommunicating respectively through aperturedv partitions 10 withassociated in termediate drain compartments 11, said compartments 11being separated by a diagonally disposed partition 12 forming adeflector for guiding the -drained water toward drain outlets 13.

The cage 7 is movable through a half revolution, i. e., through an aroof 1800, on each can receiving and drainage operation thereof, so as toalternately' and simultaneously dispose one of the compartments 9 or 9ain inverted or drainage position, the group or series of cans' beingfirst received from the track 2 into the lower compartment, for example,the compartment 9, after which the cage is rotated to reverse theposition of said compartments and thereby invert the cans contained inthe elevated compartment 9 for the drainage of the surplus watertherefrom, the discharge of the solid contents of the cans beingprevented by the apertured. par.- tition 10 on which the cans restduring this operation'. The compartments 9--9l are open at each end andthus form passages extending continuously through the drainer from endto end thereoffor thesuccessive and intermittent entrance of the cansthereinto from track 2 and subsequent transfer of thedrained cans fromthe lower compartment to the siruping device hereinafter described.Slots 14 are provided in the outer walls of the chambers 9 9 for thepassage of the fingers 5 of the'conveyor 6 into the lower compartment 9or 9a from track 2 or the feed of the cans from said compartment t-o thesiruping device during the feed of the group or series of cansthereinto. The drain outlets 13 are arranged in reverse order in thesides of the compartments 11, so as to be disposed at the bottom of thecompartment 11 communicating with the elevated can receivingcompartment, the drained water discharging through the working outletlinto a collecting trough 15 or the like from which the water may beconducted to any point of discharge. Each time the cage 7 is turned tobring one receiving compartment into receiving position andthe otherreceiving compartment into draining position, said cage remains at restfor a definite or sufficient period to permit t-he lower receivingcompartment to be filled with cans from the track 2, and the previouslydrained cans contained therein to be discharged therefromto the sirupingdevice. while the cans in the upper receiving compartment are beingdrained orrelieved of the water. Transverse slots 16, formed in theouter walls of the cage compartments 9-9, are provided to aline with thefingers 5 which lie between cans of the series disposed in the lowerreceiving compartment, so as to permit the cage 7 to be turned at propertimes without interference from said fingers.

The drained cans are shifted from the drainer to a` siruping deviceincluding a vertically movable track or platform 17 arranged beneath asyrup tank or receptacle 18, said track or platform being normallydisposed between and in horizontal alinement wit-h the bottom wall ofthe lower compartment of the drainer 7 and the track or platform 3. Thegroup or series of drained cans to be syruped are, at the proper time,shifted. by the fingers 5 of the conveyor 6 from the drainer 7 onto theplatform 17 beneath syrup discharge nozzles 19. VEach of these nozzles19 comprises a body or casing 2O having a dome-shaped head21 extendinginto the tank 18 through an opening 22 in the bottom wall of said tank,said head being provided with ports 23 for the discharge of the syrupfrom the tank into thel body or casing 20. T elescopically` fitted overthe body or casing, so as to move longitudinally thereof, is a slidingvalve sleeve member 24 having at its lower end an annular head 25forming an outflow passage provided with a conical orfbeveled valve seat26. The lower face of this head is formed with an annular groovereceiving a gasket 27, of rubber or other suitable elast-ic sealingmaterial, adapted to bear against the rim edgeof the underlying can, toseal the can against the escape of the syrup while the can is beingfilled therewith. The head 21 is provided with a threaded opening 28 toreceive lthe threaded end 29 of a valve stem-30 carrying an air vent 30and carrying at itslower end a valve disk or head 31 for cooperationwith the valve seat surface 26.

Adjustably and de-l tachably secured to the sleeve 2.4: is va gland' orstuffing-box 32 containing a. suitable pack.l

flange or head 33 on the body or sleeve 2O is a coiled spring 34operating to hold the valve member 2l normally `depressed with its seat27 engaging the valve surface 31 of the valve member 30. thus normallyrlosing the nozzle against the discharge of syrup therethrough. Thespring 34, hdwever. allows the valve member 24 to yield or move upwardlyunder pressure of an elevated can bearing against the head 25, to raisethe seat 2G to a greater or less extent above the valve surface 31,thereby providinga passage of greater or less area for'the flow of thesyrup from the tank to the can desired or required in the sirupingoperation. The valve member 30 is provided with an angular upper end forthe engagen'ient therewith of a wrench or other suitable tool. wherebysaid valve member may be adjusted upwardly or downwardly to regulate theheight or elevation of its surface 31. and a nut- 3G, engaging thethreaded surface 29` is provided 'for holding the valve member S0against displacement in adjusted position. By adjustment of the valvemember 30 the degree of opening movement of the surface of the valvemember 2l may be regulated with respect to the surface 31 of valvemember 30, and the level of the gasket 27 accordinglyl regulated, so asto adapt the valve to be opened to a greater or less extent on apredetermined upward movement of the un derlying can l. `By this meansthe valves may be adjusted, as occasion may require, to supply a largeror smaller amount of syrup to the cans accordingto the sizes of the cansor amount of syrup to be lled therein. Clamping members 37, pivotallymounted upon the bottom of the syrup receptacle 18, are provided toengage under the flange 33, for detachably holding the nozzle in workingposition. lt will be observed that the stem 30 holds the elements of thenozzle assembled and also permits of their ready and convenientdisassembling for cleaning and repairs, and that by reason of this fact,and the detachable connection between the nozzles and tank afforded bythe clamps 37,`the nozzles may be easily removed at the end of a dayswork for cleaning, to keep them in thoroughly sanitary condition. and aseasily and conveniently replaced for use. T he cans fed to the parts ofthe apparatus, as above described, are spaced equidistantly at all timesby the fingers 5, and hence the cans. moved from the platform 17 will bebrought into grouped alinementl with the sea-ling heads 25 of thenozzles. The platform 17 is, Aof course, provided with a guide slot forpassage of the fingers 5 similar to the guide slots in the track 2 andouter walls of the compartments 9 and 9a.

The mechanism for operating the working parts of the apparatus comprisesa main drive shaft 38 journaled transversely of the frame beneath theplatform 17, said. shaft having at one end a belt-pulley 39 or the likefor receiving driving energy from any suitable source of power. Thisshaft 3S is continuously driven. and at its opposite end carries amutilated drive gear 40 provided with a toothed surface -ill and anuntoothed or blank surface 42, the surface All extendingaround theperiphery of the gear to an extent somewhat less than one-half thedialneter thereof. The shaft 3S also carries suitable cam mechanism forperiodically or intermittently raising and lowering the track or table17 at properly timed intervals.- This cam. mechanism is shown, in thepresent instance` as comprising a can` wheel or disk 43 formed with acam groove 4:4 having the opposed low and high groove portions 45 and 4Gconcentric with and at different distances from its axis, portion 45extending on an arc somewhat greater land portion 4:6 on an arc.somewhat less than a half circle, said portions 45 and 1G beingconnected by the offset or eccentric groove portions i7 and 45%.Depending from the .track or platform 17 is a bracket 49 carrying aroller or other engaging member 50 which fits and travels in the groove44. whereby in the rotation of the cam the trackl will be periodicallyraised and lowered.

Arranged at one side of thedriven gear 40 is 'a mutilated gear 51mounted on a transverse shaft 52, said gear 51 being provided with twoopposed gear segn'ients or toothed surfaces 53 and 54- and intermediateblank or untoothed surfaces 55 and 56. The gear 51 is provided for`periodically transmitting motion from the drive gear l1 to the endlessfeed belt G. which belt 6 comprises a sprocket cha-in movable aroundsprocket wheels -57 and the sprocket wheel 57 being mounted upon theshaft and thc sprocket wheel 5S upon a shaft rl`he wheel is fixed to theshaft 59, which is adj ustably mounted on the frame 1 for the purpose oftaking up any slack in the belt when occasion requires, but the sprocketwheel 57 is loose on the shaft 52 and is adapted to be adjustablysecuredthereto so that, whenever desired, the' can feed motion of thebelt G may be varied. lo this end the shaft 52 has affixed thereto abracket arm G0 apertured for the passage of a coupling or locking pin 61adapted to engage any one of a plurality of openings 61 in the sprocketwheel 57, whereby the feed conveyor 6 may be varied or regulated in itsfeed motion, as occasion may require in the feed of cans of differentsizes or diameters, to properly space such cans so that they -will beproperly centered beneath the nozzles of the siruping device.

At the side of the drivey gear 4() opposite the gea-r 51 is anothermutilated gear 62, said gear 62 being mounted on a transversetransmitting shaft'68 andhaving opposed gear segments or toothedsurfaces 64 and 65 and intervening blank or untoothed surfaces 66 and67. This gear 62 is driven by thel gear 40 for imparting two halfrevolutions or one complete revolution to the drainer 7 on each completerevolution ofsaid gears. Motion is transmitted from the gear 62, whenactuated by the gear 40, to the drainer through the transversetransmitting' shaft 63 and mitre gears 69 and 70 to a shaft 71 carryinga sprocket wheel 72 connected by a sprocket chain 73 with a sprocketwheel 74 on the drainer 7. In the example shown, the machine isconstructed for operation upon three cans at atime, a group or series ofthree cans thus being moved into position on the track 2 ready to be fedup by the fingers 5 of the conveyor 6 on each intermittent workingmotion of the latter. Figure 2 shows a working arragement in which threecans which are about to be drained are in position within the lowercompartment 9 of the drainer 7 ready to be shifted to draining position,three cans in the top compartment 9a of the drainer which have been inprocess of being drained and are ready to be swung downward forsubsequent transfer to the siruping device, three cans upon the platform17 in position to be elevated and syruped preparatory to being shiftedfrom the platform 17onto the delivery track 3, and three cans upon thetrack 2 which have been brought into position by a previous workingmotion of the conveyor 6 in readiness to be delivered to the compartment9a of the drainer 7 when said drainer is reversed. Figures 5 and 10 showrespectively the positions of the cam mechanism and the parts of theintermittent actuating gearing as they appear under such workingconditions above-described. It will be observed by reference to Figure 5that the cam roller 50 is at point 48, and consequently the platform 17isin lowered position but about to be quickly raised by portion 46 ofthe cam groove, and it will be observed by reference to Figure 10 thatthe toot-hed'surface 41 of drive gear 40 has just'moved out ofengagement with toothed surface 53 of gear 51 and is about to engage thetoothed surface 64 of gear 62, while the blank surface 42 of gear 40 inv1n engagement with the blank surface 55 of gear 51. Hence on thefurther movement of gear 40 gear 51 will remain idle, while the gearsurfaces 4l and 64 intermesh, thus causing the gear 62 to be givensubstantiallya half revolution until its blank surface 67 engages theblank surface 42 of gear 40. Asa result, while the feeder 6 remainsstationary, the drainer 7l will be rotated to reverse the position ofthe compartments 9 and 9, bringing the cans in compartment 9 to drainingposition and the cans in compartment 9 to discharge position, at whichtime the motion of the drainer will stop. During this period the cam 43will make a half revolution, during which the roller 50 will be movedfrom the po-int 48 around the high groove portion 46 to the other point47, thereby raising the platform 17 during which operation the cans onsaid platform will be syruped. As soon as' roller 50 passes point 47,however, and enters the lower groove portion 45, plat-form 17 descends1mmediately to normal position, in which it remains during the travel ofsaid roller in said groove portion 45, the syruped cans then being inposition for transfer to track 3. At the end of the described workingmovement of gear 62, blank portion 42 of gear lOmoves into engagementwith surface 67 and hence gear 62 remains idle, while gear surface 41 ofgear 40 engages gear surface 54 of gear 51, thus transmitting a halfrevolution to.

said gear 51. Duri-ng this movement of gear 51, and until its surface 56comes into contact with surface 42 of gear 40, the feeder 6 .is set intoaction to force the group of syruped cans from the 'lowered platform 17o-nto the delivery track 3, to force a group of drained cans in thelower compartments of the drainer onto the' platform 17, and to forcethe group of cans on the track 2 into` said lower compartment of thedrainer 7 in readiness to be inverted for drainage operation on the nextreversal of said drainer. Gear surface 41 of gear 40 then comes intomesh wit-h gear surface 65 of gear 62, repeating the operation ofreversing the drainer to carry the lower undrained group of cans upwardfor draining and to carry the group of drained cans downward fordischarge to the syruper, during which period the cam roller 50 againtravels in the groove portion 46 of the cam 43, thus raising andlowering the platform 17 and effecting the siruping ofthe group ofcanssupported on said platform. The apparatus is then ready for arepetition of the cycle of operation above described, in which gearsurface 41 of gear 40 engages gear surface 53 ofgear 51 and fromplatform 17 to track 3, as will be4 readily understood, and it will beapparent that on each revolution of the main drive shaft the feeder willbe actuated for feeding up a group of cans to be drained and syruped andshifting the previously drained and syruped cans from the drainer to thesyruper and from the latter to the delivery track 3, the drainer will beoperated for simultaneously draining and discharging actions on twosuccessive series or groups of cans, and the siruping device will beoperated to syrup a group or series of cansand thereafter bring them inposition for discharge. ln effecting these operations the workingmotions of the parts may be very slow, but as groups of cans are handledat a time, a large number of cans may be treated within a given timewhile the motion of the parts is so even and regulated as to ensurepositiveness of the positioning of the cans for each action and anabsence of excessive wear and tear upon the moving parts, whereby adurable machine will be produced and one which is not liable to easilyget out of order or require frequent shutting down in order to makerepairs. The vertical up and down motions, at a comparatively slow rateof speed, of the group of cans to be syruped also ensures a smoothnessof action which will prevent the .syrup'fronibeing spilled out orslopped over and wasted, while at the same time the siruping of aplurality of cans on each operation enables a large number to be syrupedwithin a given workingtime. A machine constructed in accordance with myinvention, therefore, will have a desired evenness, smoothness andregularity of motion, and rapid input andoutput actions, ensuring thedrainage and siruping of a maximum number of cans within a minimumperiod of time, notwithstanding the comparatively slow rate of movement.of the working` parts. lnasmuch as there are no parts subject to greatwear and tear, and liability of breakage, irregularities or otherderangements from rapid motion, the machine will operate constantly andwith great uniformity for long periods without shut-downs for repairs orto correct derangements or inaccuracies of operation. lfurthermore, thesimplicity of the construction adapts the working parts to be readilyand conveniently cleaned at the end of each days operation to maintainthe machine in a thoroughly sanitary condition.

`While l have shown a certain construction of means for carrying myinvention into practical effect, it is to be understood that suchconstruction of means may be varied considerably, within the scope ofthe appended claims, without departing from the spirit or sacrificingany of the advantages of the invention. lt will also be understood thatwhile, in the example shown. the machine is constructed to operate upongroups (Tdi or series of cans, three in number to a group, itsconstruction may be such as to operate upon a larger number of cans to agroup if desired. By the adjustable connection between the shaft 52 andthe sprocket wheel 5T the motion of the feeder may be varied to set thefingers 5 backward or forward, for feed retarding or acceleratingmotion, as oclasion may require. in the operation ofthe machine on cansof different sizes. ln the present instance l have shown'two openings 61for working adjustments for cans of two different sizes, whereby theworking positions of the fingers 5 may be varied toregulate their feedmotion according to the size of either of the two sizes'of cansgenerally employed for fruit packing which vmay be underl treatment. Bythis means the cans in their feed motion will be properly spaced withrelation to each other and properly centered on the platform 17 beneaththe siruping nozzles for proper' sealing contact with said nozzlesduring the siruping action.

`While l have shown and described a combined draining and sirupingmachine, for successively draining and siruping the cans, which isdesirable in handling cans packed with fruit, it is to be understoodthat the machine may be used as a syruper alone in the packingof jelliesand jams in which prior draining of the cans is not required. This maybe accomplished by either removing the. drainer 7 from its shaft 8 or bysimply removing or throwing out of action one of the mitre gears 69 or70, in which latter event the drainer 7 may remain infiXed position, itslower chamber 9 or 9 forming a `guide for passage ofthe cans fromplatform Q to platform 1T, as will be readily understood.

It will be observed( that by my construction of syruper the use of valvemechanism for opening and closing the sirup valves is avoided, also theuse and requirement of any special means forn keeping 'a valve fromopening in the event that no can is presented beneath it for a sirupingaction. With my constructionthe valves are operated (opened) by pressureof an elevated can acting thereon and are self-closingwhen relieved fromthe can pressure, and in the event that, from any cause` a full numberof cans are not presented on the platform 17 on-ly those valves will beopened which are vdirectly actuated by cans present. l thus dispensewith the use of complex and troublesome vvalve mechpartments and adaptedto be inverted to alternately dispose said compartments in receiving anddraining positions, and means for operating said parts in timed accordto cause the feeder to supply a group of cans to the'receivingcompartment of the drainer and to force av preceding group of canstherefrom to the syriiper,`to invert the drainer upon the cessation ofmotion of the feeder, and to actuate the syruper during the time periodof inversion of the drainer. I

2. In a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combination of aframe having feedand delivery tracks, a drainer arranged to receive cansfrom the feed track, said drainer having a pair of opposed compertinentsand invertible to alternately d-ispose. lsaid compartments in receivingand draining positions, a syruper disposed-between the drainer anddelivery track, Vand means for periodically operatingthe` parts torausethe feeder` to feed a group of cans along the`feed track into thereceiving com partment of the drainer, to force a preyiously drainedgroup of cans from the receiving compartment of the drainer to the.

syruper and discharge agroup of syruped cans from the syruper onto thereceivingtrack, to invert the drainer during periods of cessation ofmotion of the feeder, and to actuate the syruper While the 'drainer isbeing inverted.

3. In a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combination of adrainer having drain compartments open from end to endthereof to formpassages for the feed of cans thereinto and therethrough, s aid idrainer being invertible to alternately bring said compartments into canreceiving an can draining positions, a syruper including siruping meansand a vertically movable can supporting platform, said platform be-` ingnormally arranged in alinement with the bottom of the compartment ofthe' drainei' which is in receiving position, a feeder provided vvithfeed members movable through the compartment of the drainer which is indraining position andA along the platform of the syruper, forsuccessively feeding cans to be drained from a source of supply into thedrainer-and transferring drained cansl directly 'from said drainer ontothe platform' of the syruper, and means for periodically operating thedrainer, syruper platform and feeder in timedaccord. l

4. In av can draining' and siruping ma- Achine, the-combination of anintermittently operable can I(feeder, a drainer having compartments toreceive cans from the feeder and movable, between intervals of operationof the feeder, to invert the drainer so 'as to reverse the positions ofthe respective cemparti'nents between receiving and draining positions,and a syruper adapted'to receive drainedcans from the drainer on theopera- Maaate tion of the feeder and actuated for a siruping actionduring the tim'e period of in-.

version of the drainer.

5. In a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combination ofan intermittently operable feeder provided with. spaced fingersforfeeding a group or plurality of cans at a time, drainer havingcompartments to receive groups of cans from the feeder and movable,between intervals of motion of the feeder, for alternately bringing thecompartments thereof intoreceiving and draining positions, and a syruperadapted to receive a group of cans from the receiving compartment' ofthe drainer through the movement of said feeder and operative during thetime period of such motion of the drainer for supplying syrup tothevcans fed thereto.

6. In a can drainingv and siruping device, the combination of aintermittently operable feeder, a rotary drainer having opposedvcompartments alternately movable by rotation of said drainer intoreceiving and draining positions, and a syruper adapted to receive aplurality of drained cans from the drainer upon themovement of thefeeder and operative on a cessation of movement of the feeder'to supplysyrup to said cans.

7. In a. combined canI draining and sirupl ing machine, `the combinationof a frame having can inlet and delivery track portions at opposite endsthereof, a rotatable drainer having drain compartments open at each endand adapted on successive half revolutions thereof to alternately bringsaid compartments into receiving and draining positions.

llO

ing cans 'along the inlet track portion into the receiving vcompartmentof the 'drainer and shifting'caiis from the receiving compartment' ofthedrainer onto the platform of the syruper, and from sai-d syruperplatform onto the vdelivery track portion of the frame, and means foroperating the drainer,

syruper platform and feeder in timed-ac` cord.

8. Iii a combined can draining and siruping machine,thecombination of aframe having inletand delivery track portions, a

drainer having compartments and movable to alternately-bring saidcompartments into and out of receiving and draining positions, thecompartment thereof which is in receiving position adapted to aline Withsaid inlet and delivery track portions,a syruper includy and means forperiodically operating the feeder' to supply cans in groups from theinlet track to the receiving compartment of the drainer, to forcedrained cans from the drainer to the movable platform of the syruper,and to force syruped cans from said movable platform to the deliverytrack, said means operating the drainer and movable platform bet- Weenintervals of operation of the feeder. i

' 9. ln. a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combinationof a frame having inletand delivery tracks,` a rotary drainer havingcompartmentsadapted in 'the rotation of the drainer to be alternately-`moved into lower receiving position alining With the inlet track andan upper draining position in which the cans are inverted therein, asyruper including nozzles having vertically movable valves and avertically movable can supporting platform adapted when in normalposition to aline With the receiving compartment of the drainer and whenelevated to open the valves for supplying syrup to the cans restingthereon, and gearing for periodically, actuating the feeder andperiodically actuating the drainer and syruper platform in timed accordand between interyals of motion of the feeder.

l0. ln a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combination of.a

.drain device having compartments alternately movable into receiving anddraining positions, a syruper for receiving drained cans from thecompartment of the drainer which has moved from draining into receivingposition, a prime operating means, a feeder periodically actuatedthereby. for feeding cans to be treated into the receiving compartmentof the feeder, feeding the previously drained cans from said compartmentto the syruper, and feeding the cans previously syruped by the syruperto discharge position, means actuated by the prime operating means foi`moving the drainer to reverse the compartments thereof between intervalsof motion of the feeder, and-means operated by the prime mover betweenintervals of operation of the feeder for actuating the syruper. l1. ln acombined can drainer and syruper, the combination of a rotary drainerhaving compartments adapted to be successivelyv and alternately broughtby .rotary movements thereof into receiving and draining positions, asyruper including pressure operated siruping valves and a verticallymovable can supporting platform, said platform being` normally disposedto` receive drained cansfrom. a. compartment of the drainer which is inreceiving position, a feeder provided with fingers for moving cans froma source of supply into a compartment of the drainer which is inreceiving position and shifting cans previously drained from saidcompartment on'to the syruper platform, a main drive shaft, cammechanism actuated thereby for intermittently raising and loivering thesyruper platform, sets of gearingl for operating the drainer and feeder,each including a shaft, mutilated gears on said shafts, and a mutiliatedgear on the drive shaft for periodicallyengaging andtransmitting motionto the first-named mutilated gears.

l2. In a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combination ofa frame having inlet and delivery track portions, a drainer arrangedadjacent to the inlet track portion and having compartments alternatelymovable into and out of alinement ,therewith for receiving and drainingactions, a syruper having a vertically movable platform normallyaliningivith the aforesaid trackport-ions and receiving compart- `mentof the drainer and ,valve mechanism actuated byniovements of saidplatform for letting on and cutting off the floiv of syrup to cansraised and lowered by said platform,-

means for periodically operating the feeder for simultaneouslv feedino`a Orou i of cans from the inlet track to the receivingcompartment of thedrainer, a group of cans from said receivingcompartment of the drainerto the syruper, and a group of cans from the syruper to thel deliverytrack, and means for actuating the drainerand syruper between intervalsof motion of the feeder.

13. in a combined can draining and siruping machine, the combination ofAa diainer having compartments and movable to alter- `nately bring` saidcompartments into receiving and draining positions, a syruper including`syrup supplying means and a can sup-` porting platform verticallymovable for moving cans supported thereby to open and close the syrupsupplying means, a feeder operative ivhen tlie diainer and syruper areat rest for shifting cans into the drainer and therefrom into thesyruper and from the syruper to a discharge point, and means forperiodically operating the drainer to reverse the compartments thereofand actuatingv the syruper between intervals of motion of the feeder.

la. ln a combined can drainer and syruper. the combination ofa framehaving inlet and delivery tracks, a rotary drainerarranged yadjacent tothe inlet track and having' 0pposed `compartments movable alternatelyinto receiving and draining positions, a

syruper arranged adjacent to the delivery track and having valvecontrolled syrup supplying` means and a `movable platform for raisingand lowering cans for actuating said syrup supplying means, the saidinlet and delivery tracks, receiving compartment of the drainer andmovable platform of the syruper being disposed in alinement when saidparts are at rest, a feeder periodically operative for shifting cansfrom the inlet track to the receiving compartment of the drainer, fromsai-d receiving compartment of the drainer to the platform of thesyruper andfrom said plat-form to the delivery track, a primary drivingshaft, a set of gear- .nately movable into receiving-and drainingpositions, a syruper having a vertically movable platform for supportingcans and valve mechanism opened and closed by the raising and loweringof the cans under ,actuation of' said platform, a primary drive shaft, a

feeder for shifting cans from the inlet, track .to the receivingcompartment of the drainer,

from said compartmentto the platform of -tlie syriiper and from saidplatform to the delivery track, a mutilated gear on said shaft, gearingfor periodically actuating the feeder including a mutilated gearactuated bythe mutilated gear on the primary drive shaft, gearing forperiodically rotating the drainer including a mutilated gear also operated bythe mutilated gear on the primary driveshaft, and cammechanism'operated by the primary,l drive shaft between intervals ofmotion of the feeder for raising and lowering the platform.

. 16. In a combined can draining and siruping machine, the'combinationof a drainer having compartments to receive a group of cans to bedrained and subsequently discharged,'means for shifting said drainer toperiodically move its compartments respectively into receiving anddraining positions, a syruperfor syruping a plurality of drained 'cansat a time received from a compartment of the drainer, means'foiperiodically op.- erating saids'yruper, a feeder for shifting a group ofcans to be drained into the drainer, discharging drained cans therefromto the syruper and -discharging syruped cans from the syruper, andmeansfOr opera-ting the same Whilethe drainer and syruper are at rest.

17,. In a machine for siruping cans, la series of vertically movablesiruping valves, a can supporting platform movable toward and from saidvalves, an endless feeder having fingers spaced to engage and feed cansto said platform in properlkypcentered relaifiliaaiv tion to the valves,and means for driving said feeder includin(r a shaft, a gear loose onsaid shaft, and connecting means for adjustably connecting said gearwith said shaft for adjusting the feeder and the working positions ofits fingers.

18. In a siruping device, the combination of a plurality of spaced andvertically movable siruping valves, a vertically movable rvcansupporting platform beneath said valves and having a longitudinal slot,an endless feeder provided with spaced fingers for engaging and feedinga plurality of cans equal in number to said valves onto said platform inproperly spaced and centered relation to said valves, said fingers beingmovable throught-he slot in the platform, and driving means for saidendless feeder including means for adjusting said conveyor and the`working positions ofthe fingers thereof.

19. In a siruping machine, the combination of a pluralityv of spaced andvertically movable siruping valves, a longitudinal slotted andverticallyl movable can supporting platform below said valves,vanendless feed device provided with spaced fingers arranged for movementalong the slot of the platform and operative to engage and feed cansonto said platformin properlyspaced an'd centered relation to thevalves, a drive shaft, cam mechanism actuated by said shaft for directlyraising and ,lowering the platform at timed intervals, a shaft fortransmitting motion to the conveyor, a gear loose on said shaft. andactuated thereby to drive the conveyor, connecting means between saidshaft and gear for regulating the'drive action of the "conveyor so' asto advance or re-l tard the working positions'of the conveyor fingers,and mutilated gears on said shafts for the transmission of motion fromone to the other. l

20. In a siruping machine','tl1e combination of a group of verticallymovable syrup supply valves, a vertically movable longitudinally slottedcan supplying platform adapted to sup-port a Series of cans beneath saidvalves, means for raising and lowering said platform, an endlessconveyor provided with spaced teeth movable along the longitudinalslotin the platform and periodically operated to supply av roup of cansto said platform and to disc arge' the previously syruped canstherefrom, and drive gearing for actuating said conveyor, including ashaft, a gear loose on `sai'd shaft, and connecting means between saidshaft and said gear for adjustably connecting the same and fixing the`gearto the shaft in adjusted position, whereby the working motion ofthe conveyor may be regulated to adjust the working positions of theconveyor fingers.

21. In apparatus of the character described, a drainer mounted torevolve upon a central axis and having drain compartments on oppositesides of said axisalternately movable on each half revolution of thedrainer into-lower receiving and upper` draining positions, eachcompartment hav- 'ing an outer wall to serve as a bottom support onwhich the closed end of a can ma-y rest, when said can is upright andsaid compartmentis in lovver receiving position, and also having aperforate inner vvall to serve as a. drain support for the open top ofthe can when said can is inverted and said compartment is in upperdraining position, both of said walls beinglixed to and rotatable withthe drainer, and each compartment being open at each end, whereby cansmay be entered at oneend of the compartment and moved longitudinallythrough and discharged from the opposite end of the compartment.

22. In apparatus of the character described, a rotatable drainerprovided with a can receiving compartment and having a preliminarymovement fiom a certain position in its orbit of movement, in whichorbital position of the drainer the can is upright and the compartmentin position for.

its reception or discharge, to a second orbital position in which thecan is inverted and drained, and having a final inovement for thereafterreturning the compartment and the can contained therein to the orbitalposition first stated, said compartment being open from end to end,whereby cans may be entered into the compartment at one of its ends anddischarged from the compartment at its opposite end, in vvhich canentering or discharging action the drainer is in the same orbitalposition.

23. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary drainer mounted torevolve upon a horizontal supporting axis, and provided vvith draincompartments on opposite" sides of its axis arranged substantially at,an angle of 180o to each other, each compartment comprising relativelyfixed outer, inner and side Walls, the inner Walls being perforated forthe drainage of Water therethrough, and said compartments being open at.each end so as to form a substantially straight line passagetherethrough, the drainer being provided with means for discharging theWater draining through saidperforated inner Walls and being movable onits axis to alternately and successively shift said compartments from alower receiving position to an upper draining position, and vice versa.

24. In apparatus of the character described, a rotary drainer mounted torevolve upon a horizontal axis and having drain compartments on oppositesides of its axis, each compartment comprising relatively fixed outer,inner and side Walls, said inner vvall being perforate, and eachcompartment being open from end to end for passage of cans thereinto andon a' straight line therethrough, said drainer being movable on suoliaxis to alternately and successively shift said compartments from alovver receivinof position to an upper draining position, an( viceversa.

Qqln apparatus of the character described, a rotary drainer mounted torevolve upon a horizontal axis and having drain compartments on oppositesides of its axis, each compartment comprising relatively fixed outer,inner and side Walls and being open from end to end for passage of canstherein and therethrough, said inner wall having perforations therein,and a draining chamber communicating with each drain compartment throughthe perforations in said inner wall, and provided with a lateral waterdischarge outlet, said d"ainer being movable on suoli axis toalternately and successively shift said compartments from a lowerreceiving position to an upper draining position, and vice versa.

26. ln apparatus of the character described, a rotary drainer mounted torevolve upon a horizontal axis and having drain compartments on oppositesides of its axis, each compartment being open from end to end forpassage' of cans therein and therethrough, and each of saidcompartmentsy having an outer can retaining Wall and an inner perforateWall, both vvalls being fixed to and rotatable with the drainer, drainchambers interposed between said compartments and provided vvith lateraloutlets, and a partition separating said drain chambers from each other,said drainer being movable on such axis to alternately and successivelyshift said compartments from a lovver receiving positionv to an upperdraining position, and vice versa.

27. In an apparatus of the character described, a rotary drainer mountedupon a horizontal and provided vvith drain compartments on oppositesides of its axis, each compartment being open from end to end thereof'and having a perforate inner vvalland' a slotted outer Wall, both wallsbeing fixed to and rotatable With the body of the drainer, said drainerbeing rotatable so as to bring said compartments alternately intoreceiving and draining positions upon successive half revolutionsthereof, a can feeder having feed members movable through the slot inthe bottom Wall of each compartment when in receiving position, andmeans for periodically operating the drainer and feeder. Y

28.1n apparatus of the character described. the combination with anendless feeder provided vvith feed fingers, of a rotary drainer having`drain compartments arranged respectively on each side of its axis ofrotation, each compartment having a perforate inner vvall and a slottedouter Wall fiXed to and movable therewith, and each compartment beingopen from end to end for passage of cans therethrough, the fingers ofthe conveyor being movable through the slot in the outer Wall of acompartment in receiving position fo-rfeeding cans theremto andAdischarging cans therefrom, and means for per1od1cally rotating thedrainer and imparting feed` mo-l open from end to end and having anouterl wall provided with a longitudinal slot, an inner perforate walland side walls having spaced pairs of transverse slots, said Walls beingfixed to and rotatable with the drainer, and said drainer also havingdrain chambers communicating through the perforate inner Walls With thecompartments and provided with lateral drain outlets, said drainer beingadapted on each half revolutionthereof to alternately and successively.dispose said compartments in receiving and draining positions, and anendless can feed conveyor having fingers movable through the slottedbottom Wall of either drain compartment when inreceiving positionforshifting cans deintov said compartment through one end thereof orfrom said compartment through the opposite end thereof, said fingersadapted to register With-said transverse slots when the feeder is atrest, and means for periodically and-successively turning the drainer toreverse the positions of its compartments and actuating the feederbetween intervals -of motion of the 'drainerl ln testimony whereof Iaffix my signature. ALEXANDER K. RARIG.

